DePauw prepares for varied running attack of Kenyon

Thursday, September 26, 2013
DePauw senior Nikko Sansone gets chased down by a pair of defenders, junior Nick Freund (34) and sophomore Connor Jeffers, during practice on Wednesday. Sansone is expected to get more touches as a running back on Saturday. (Banner Graphic/GRANT WIEMAN)

The season is still young for the DePauw football team, but after a 0-2 start the Tigers are desperate for a win as they prepare for North Coast Athletic Conference opponent Kenyon on Saturday.

The Lords (1-2, 1-1 NCAC) have a solid run game and spread the field to keep their opposition guessing. DePauw's rush defense has been solid early on, but that's not going to give head coach Bill Lynch any extra rest this week.

"They do a lot of things on offense," he said. "They challenge your preparation because they do so many things."

Kenyon has gained 598 yards on the ground in just three games this year, including 253 in a week-one win at Allegheny. The DPU defense gave up big yards on the ground last week against the spread-out offense of Wittenberg, but they played well against the run in week one at Sewanee.

The improved defense hasn't yet translated to the other side of the ball for the Tigers.

DePauw has tried several formations, blocking schemes and ball carriers to try to get its ground game going, but so far there hasn't been a lot of success.

Nikko Sansone, a converted wide receiver, showed flashes late in the game last week but he is unproven and likely will be used in change-of-pace situations at Kenyon.

"We've got to learn how to run the football," Lynch said. "We've got to continue to get better and make sure that we're sound up front. We're playing different backs so we're kind of still looking to see which is the right combination for us."

The Lords have a three-man front on their defense, something the Tigers haven't seen in their first two games.

"You just have to make sure your pass blocking is sound versus their fronts and your run game is sound versus how they line up," Lynch said. "Their front seven that they play on defense is very, very good and they play hard."

There weren't many bright spots in last week's shutout loss, but it may have revealed DePauw's base level of play.

Building from that and adjusting to each opponent, each week, is going to be the focus as the team moves forward.

"When you get into the season like this, it's really making the adjustments," Lynch said. "Now we're getting into the cycle where we know more about the teams we're playing."

Kenyon's 1-2 start doesn't appear daunting, but the Lords have been in every game and they finished last season with six wins.

As DePauw searches for its first win, it can't afford to take anyone lightly.

Grabservations

Sophomore Justin Murray remains the starting quarterback for DePauw,

But he continues to split first-team reps in practice with freshman Matt Hunt. Hunt had more snaps in the game last week when the two split possessions, and Lynch said it will be more of the same this week.

The exact breakdown will be decided by the DePauw coaches later this week, but in general the Tigers, at least right now, have more offensive options with Murray in the game than the inexperience but confident Hunt.

Health isn't a huge concern for DPU; yet

DePauw is missing a few starters because of injuries, including senior captain Pat Keller and sophomore Paul Simon, but for the most part the team is in pretty good shape, Lynch said. Keller was injured early in last week's game but he should return soon.

Simon is out "for the foreseeable future," Lynch said, which effects DPU in several levels. Simon was a starter at safety last season and has the most thundering leg for the team as a punter. Freshman Cody Baker and senior Eric Malm have, respectively, filled in successfully so far, but it is a blow to the team's depth.

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